Lost sleep last night thinking about the A/C. Completely understand and agree that in some climates that A/C is an essential.
But a number of climates are OK without A/C. A basic transportation vehicle does not require A/C, its a 'nice to have' and remember how many vehicles in the past never had A/C.
Personally, I have a 40 year old basic small car that does not have A/C and never came with it from the factory. Would not want it either because of the power loss and neither do most of the other 20,000 owners of similar cars (Porsche 914 2.0L). Anyone considered the effects of what the A/C will do to the Elio performance and gas mileage? It could turn an already under powered vehicle into a dog. Say goodbye to 84/49 mpg, probably 20% less. You think 55 hp is slow off the line, how about what is effectively 40hp? If the Elio gets a reputation for being a dog, then goodbye to its popularity.
What if the Elio was designed to accommodate an A/C system, that could be added easily by PepBoyz or others as an option? The A/C is not a complex system, its a few bolt on hardware items, some wired controls, 2 refrigerant lines, and pressure charging the refrigerant lines. If the Elio was designed and set-up to accept this package system so it was a simple bolt on process, it could be considered optional, and we could reach the pricing goal, maybe even reduce the initial cost below $6,800.
So there you have it, a $6,800 vehicle, A/C if you want/need it, no A/C if you don't, no worries.